How To Curate a Capsule Beauty Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe — a concept created by London-based boutique owner Susie Faux in the ’70s — is the idea of having an arsenal of evergreen essentials in your wardrobe that can be supplemented with more on-trend, seasonal pieces. Using the core concept of a capsule wardrobe to create your perfect collection of beauty products can free up space, time, and, not to mention, save you cash. Whether you’re not sure where to start or simply need to slash your stash, we’re laying out how to create your own capsule beauty wardrobe below.

Step 1: Declutter

Have multiple tubes of the same shade of red lipstick, or maybe that face mask you bought on a whim a year ago is starting to smell a bit off? If the answer is yes to one or both of these, then it’s probably time for a product purge. Start by placing everything in front of you, similarly to when you’re cleaning out your wardrobe, as this will help you determine what to ditch and what to keep. Next, place similar items into piles, and make a mental note of products that you know are in your daily rotation. You’re not going to bid farewell to a pair of skinny jeans that end up in your laundry basket on a weekly basis. Next, say goodbye to anything that’s changed scent, texture, colour, or if you haven’t touched it in over a year. If you’re not sure, most beauty products have a timestamp (in number of months) on the back of the packaging that indicates when to toss.

Step 1: Declutter Have multiple tubes of the same shade of red lipstick, or maybe that face mask you bought on a whim a year ago is starting to smell a bit funky? If the answer is yes to one or both of these, then it’s probably time for a product purge. Start by placing everything in front of you, similarly to when you’re cleaning out your closet, as this will help you determine what to ditch and what to keep. Next, place similar items into piles, and make a mental note of products that you know are in your daily rotation. You’re not going to bid farewell to a pair of skinny jeans that end up in your laundry basket on a weekly basis. Next, say goodbye to anything that’s changed scent, texture, color, or if you haven’t touched it in over a year. If you’re not sure, most beauty products have a timestamp (in number of months) on the back of the packaging that indicates when to toss.

Step 2: Determine Your Needs

Whether you’re more of a BB cream kinda gal or a full-on red lip lady, it’s best to consider your lifestyle and needs before selecting items to keep or purchase. You wouldn’t hold onto five skirts if you only find yourself sporting dresses, right? Another thing to bear in mind is your skin type, hair texture, and overall beauty aesthetic to ensure you only hold onto and buy products that will help you to look and feel your best. One of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the best products for your needs is by filling out your Birchbox beauty profile. Doing this helps us send you samples that are more suited for your personal needs.

Step 3: Do Your Research

We know it’s tempting to purchase beauty items based on cute packaging or the claims on the box, but before whipping out your credit card, take the time to figure out if this new item lends itself to what you’re really looking to get out of a product. Start by doing a quick search, examining the ingredients list, and reading other people’s reviews. The idea of trying before you buy (read: sampling each month!) can be super helpful when determining if a product is worth holding space in your bathroom cabinet.

Now that you’ve purged, identified your beauty style, and gotten some shopping tips, see below for staple suggestions to add to your new capsule beauty wardrobe.

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